Priority Screening

[Harrison_133]

Any update on the situation at Melbourne (re lounge exit stiill closed?)

It’s open this morning

 

[jakeseven7]

Lounge exit zone still closed,

Actually the MEL lounge exit has been randomly opened and closed (no discernible pattern) for at least the last couple of weeks - early March it was surprisingly open and I asked why it wasn’t open more regularly / predictably and got the dreaded ‘Covidddd’ response - staffing issues means it could be closed randomly.

 

[eastwest101]

Also, I asked the lounge desk in SYD a few days ago about the reopening of the kerbside entrance there, and they said it is "planned", but indicated it was a good idea to use the feedback form on the VA website to suggest that it happen sooner rather than later.

I have raised the issue of Premium Kerbside entry (among other issues) on the Virgin Australia feedback form myself as well, I encourage anyone with the spare time and inclination to do the same if they want....

 

[Peasant]

Actually the MEL lounge exit has been randomly opened and closed (no discernible pattern) for at least the last couple of weeks - early March it was surprisingly open and I asked why it wasn’t open more regularly / predictably and got the dreaded ‘Covidddd’ response - staffing issues means it could be closed randomly.

I've had a run of good luck...it's been open for all of my morning departures in March and April.

Funnily enough, on one visit in March, the screening staff asked me if an announcement had been made about it being open in the lounge, as they were surprised how few people were using it.

At the moment it's a major reason for me to choose VA, particularly with QF's various operational woes.

 

[PaulllM]

Also, I asked the lounge desk in SYD a few days ago about the reopening of the kerbside entrance there, and they said it is "planned", but indicated it was a good idea to use the feedback form on the VA website to suggest that it happen sooner rather than later.

I just spoke to the desk and they said to me the problem is that VA 2.0 hasn't established a contract with the airports to reinstate security.

Also BNE needs to open at the same time as SYD which will also require a reliable MEL exit.

It's such a first world problem but it was a nice luxury that I'd like back

 

[flydoc]

Also BNE needs to open at the same time as SYD which will also require a reliable MEL exit.

why is each contingent on the other?

 

[klymen]

SYD T2 this morning. Using the car park at the northern end for crowd control. They need to get the priority screening reactivated ASAP.

EDIT: To give credit where it’s due, they are actively calling pax for flights closing soon.

 

[klymen]

SYD T2 this morning. Using the car park at the northern end for crowd control. They need to get the priority screening reactivated ASAP.

EDIT: To give credit where it’s due, they are actively calling pax for flights closing soon.
View attachment 274973

25 mins from there to the lounge. Could have been a lot worse!

 

[henrus]

SYD T2 this morning. Using the car park at the northern end for crowd control. They need to get the priority screening reactivated ASAP.

That's just embarrassing.

 

[antycbr]

That's just embarrassing.

It's also a commercial opportunity going begging by VA. Fix priority screening and you'll get more customers from QF.

 

[Harrison_133]

SYD T2 this morning. Using the car park at the northern end for crowd control. They need to get the priority screening reactivated ASAP.

Checked in around 2pm today. No where near as bad as the morning rush. The normal queue for Virgin check-in was pretty full but people weren’t spilling out of where the queues are usually set up. Priority check-in worked wonders, through within 5 minutes. Jetstar was very busy too, Rex had nobody lined up. Security only took about 5 minutes. All up it was about 10 minutes from being dropped at the kerb to getting into the lounge.

 

[Must...Fly!]

That's just embarrassing.

It isn't really. It's better than chaos in the terminal itself and 25 minute wait for security is not really extreme by world standards.

The biggest problem is Sydney Airport's lack of space in T2 for indoor queuing, which has been a problem for what....15 years, at least? Meanwhile every one of those passengers pays the airport to use the facility, pity little of it is reinvested in to the passenger experience

 

[Stealthflyer]

SYD T2 this morning. Using the car park at the northern end for crowd control. They need to get the priority screening reactivated ASAP.

EDIT: To give credit where it’s due, they are actively calling pax for flights closing soon.
View attachment 274973

At least there’s good ventilation.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Lounge exit zone still closed, but (as pointed out a few posts above) the lane to the left, out in general security, has a priority sign mounted over the top of it - and being Virgin, many of their guests have been educated to not use a priority line if they are not eligible... unlike the competition, who have educated their (domestic) customers that priority signs aren't worth the ink they are printed with...

Also, I asked the lounge desk in SYD a few days ago about the reopening of the kerbside entrance there, and they said it is "planned", but indicated it was a good idea to use the feedback form on the VA website to suggest that it happen sooner rather than later.

Melbourne Lounge priority exit was open on Wed 13th of April - I used it to get to the gate for my 7.00am flight to Brisbane on VA309.

It was also announced as open over the pa in the Lounge which was a real relief as the pre Easter lines for screening were already snaking back around the corner near the escalator.

Best of all there was only one passenger in front of me in the line and I was through in under a minute!!

Im not sure if it still open but good on Virgin for doing that little bit extra to deal with the chaos that was Tullamarine over Easter.

 

[Harrison_133]

Im not sure if it still open but good on Virgin for doing that little bit extra to deal with the chaos that was Tullamarine over Easter.

From experience, lately it seems to open during the morning peak when they have a crazy amount of flights leaving between 7am and 9am.

And now that they’re using gates in T4 again (quite regularly now), that seems to be taking some pressure off the main screening point too.

 

[samas]

PER lanes have had a bit of a reconfiguration and appears premium lane missing now also. (from being there about 6 weeks ago) - I will have a better look again when I am back there in 10 days.
With Perth prior to the reconfiguration of lanes I rarely used the premium lane as I would find at the times I travel there hasn't been queues for T1D security.

Yep - all signage relating to the former priority has been removed at T1D. Whilst there is still the glass wall separating the former priority lane

There are now 4 security checkpoints, 3 are the new 3D next generation where you leave everything inside your bags.

Upon passing through Friday 22/4 one of the next generation lanes was open, whilst food delivery items were being processed through the one traditional lane.

There was no queue at ~1030 Friday at PER T1D

 

[jase05]

ADL packed this morning but premium line open and enforced by staff. Huge line up for regular lanes but priority was a breeze. For those not familiar with ADL or the “not match fit” travellers a reminder that the far right lane (straight ahead as you exit premium lane) has the new scanner and larger tubs where laptops and all items can stay in bags. All other lanes are still the old machines for about another 3 weeks and require laptops etc to be removed and placed in seperate tubs

 

[eastwest101]

ADL packed this morning but premium line open and enforced by staff. Huge line up for regular lanes but priority was a breeze. For those not familiar with ADL or the “not match fit” travellers a reminder that the far right lane (straight ahead as you exit premium lane) has the new scanner and larger tubs where laptops and all items can stay in bags. All other lanes are still the old machines for about another 3 weeks and require laptops etc to be removed and placed in seperate tubs

Just as a refresher since you went there today, does the priority security screening at ADL have signage saying who is and who isn't eligible for priority security screening? I know that airline staff would definitely qualify and they frequently use this lane, but who else has "priority" at ADL and how is this communicated? Who was doing the "enforcement"? Security staff, or ADL airport staff?

This link here:

Premium Screening Lane - Adelaide Airport

Passengers flying from Adelaide in First class, Business Class or who are a Premium tier frequent flyer can now zip through the airport’s security screening lines, with the introduction of a new Premium...

www.adelaideairport.com.au

Seems to imply it's also an airline status thing - "Passengers flying from Adelaide in First class, Business Class or who are a Premium tier frequent flyer can now zip through the airport’s security screening lines..."

Did you enter this priority screening by virtue of class of travel or by status, and if status were they actually looking to see evidence of status?

 

[jase05]

Just as a refresher since you went there today, does the priority security screening at ADL have signage saying who is and who isn't eligible for priority security screening? I know that airline staff would definitely qualify and they frequently use this lane, but who else has "priority" at ADL and how is this communicated? Who was doing the "enforcement"? Security staff, or ADL airport staff?

This link here:

Premium Screening Lane - Adelaide Airport

Passengers flying from Adelaide in First class, Business Class or who are a Premium tier frequent flyer can now zip through the airport’s security screening lines, with the introduction of a new Premium...

www.adelaideairport.com.au

Seems to imply it's also an airline status thing - "Passengers flying from Adelaide in First class, Business Class or who are a Premium tier frequent flyer can now zip through the airport’s security screening lines..."

Did you enter this priority screening by virtue of class of travel or by status, and if status were they actually looking to see evidence of status?

Still just signage that says Premium line but with no other descriptions or wording that I could see. Security staff was present and asked to see my boarding pass. I was in J so no idea if he checked other peoples status for Y travellers. Don’t know if other non regular travellers to ADL know of the Priority lane as normal lanes were absolutely packed and I there were only 3 of us at the time using the Priority lane. I’m heading back home tonight so will check it out

 

[klymen]

There was no queue at ~1030 Friday at PER T1D

Queue was 0 pax at ~13:30 Friday, with new scanners in operation. OTOH, the flight was quite full.